IN THE ARENA WITH CAITLIN: February 2014

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Birkie, Birkie, Birkie

This past weekend was the American Birkebeiner in Hayward, WI. Although it took place on the same day as the Olympic 30K in Russia, the conditions couldn't be much different. While Brian was about to suit up in a t-shirt and no hat for his 50K, I was bundled up and read to face below zero temperatures with winds gusting up to 30 mph head on! This was by-far the coldest Birkie I have ever done. My feet are still red and swollen a day later.

My was was a huge success! I wanted to ski well on 2/22/14 for a long time and whether it was at the Birkie or the Olympics I would be happy as long as I reached my goal. I was able to hang onto the passing lead group of guys and separate from the rest of the Elite women's pack. I realized that with such a strong headwind, getting away any other way would be impossible.

This was my 3rd Birkie win and I cannot begin to explain how great it feels! I think the best part about the entire weekend was how much fun I had, how many friends I saw and getting up at 1AM to watch Brian race the 50K at the Olympics.

Today I hosted a Fast and Female Event here in Hayward and it was a HUGE success. We had over 75 girls attend and we went over the importance of goal setting and when you muss one goal you canoalways start focusing on your next one.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

A Full two weeks of Training, Travel and Racing!

Wow! What an incredible two weeks I have had!!! After we found out that Brian made the Olympic Team and I did not we got to work hashing out our next plans. Brian was headed to Sochi to represent the USA at the Olympics and I was headed back to the US to get people excited about Team Gregg and hopefully win some races and make some money :)

Before I left Europe I had the chance to spend another 10 days with my favorite training buddy (Brian). We explored the Italian Ski Trails that meandered through the valleys of the Dolomite Mountains and spend hours running and at the gym! Although one goal was met we still had more racing left to prepare for!

After Italy I dropped Brian in Munich for his Olympic processing and I hoped a plane to Vermont. It was probably one of the hardest good-byes I have ever had to say to him but I am so happy for him that it quickly subsided. I quickly met up with some old friends, the Mallorys, from my high school racing days in Vermont and we traveled together all the way to their house near Burlington.

I just finished a full week of high volume and a weekend of high intensity racing here in Vermont and I am hoping that my solid results will help me secure the Super Tour overall so I can re-join Brian on the World Cup again this spring :)

I head home tomorrow and I am excited to sleep in my own bed for the first time in 4-1/2 months! I am also thrilled to get to watch the US Ski Team ladies make history on Tuesday at the Olympics!!! Go Team USA!!!

Some photos from the past few weeks below: